Monday, November 17, 2008

Taxidermy and Collard Greens

A sample of what one might hear on a day in a rural Alabama middle school:

Chris: Mrs. Burgess, I can't ever do my homework.

Mrs. Burgess: Why can't you do homework, Chris?

Chris: Because I have a garden: 136 collard greens. No time for homework!

##

Mrs. Burgess: Tyler, why aren't you doing your work?

Tyler: I'm going to juvi tomorrow and I ain't coming back, so why should I work?

Mrs. Burgess: juvi?

Tyler: I'm up for two felonies...

Mrs. Burgess: What did you do?

Tyler: Attempted murder and killing a cat. But Mrs. Burgess, I swear I didn't kill that cat!

Mrs. Burgess: Um, ok.

##

*Cody (yelling from across the room): Mrs. Burgess!! When I get my deer head back from the taxidermist, can I bring it in to show you?

Mrs. Burgess: How about you bring a picture...

*Cody is also the student who, on the Monday after we read The Raven, brought me a REAL (and freshly dismembered) crow's foot. He says I'm his favorite teacher. Sweet, but can't I just get an apple?



2 comments:

The Unlikely Pastor's Wife said...

Apples are so passe. C'mon Mrs. Burgess let a boy shower you with gifts :-)

Mel said...

Incredible!